THE REFORMED ARMY. Wherein is plainly set forth, 1. What Officers are necessary in an Army, over one particular Brigade. 2. What Officers may well be discharged, which as yet are allowed. 3. What revinews will be saved which may be employed to more necessary uses. 4. What disadvantage the State receives by such unnecessary Officers, overpowering Votes in Counsels of war. 5. What can be alleged for the allowance of such Places and the difference between these our Civil Wars, and those in other Countries. Seen and allowed by the Right Honourable, the Lords, and Commons, in Parliament, and published for the good of the Kingdom in general. London, Printed for J. B. 1645. The the Right Honourable, the LORDS and COMMONS assembled in Parliament. Right Honourable, THe unfeigned zeal I bear to the public, hath emboldened your daily Orator to compile this indigested fragment, though I know it will not suit with the affections of some in these our times: yet it is not intended to distaste any: I wish it may safely arrive to the view of some candid and judicious Auditor, whose knowing virtues may be a covering to my imperfections: the serious consideration whereof hath moved me, though the most unworthy to present your Honours with my worthless Labours: And the rather, when according to my duty I deeply pondered the sad distempers, and dangerous maladies now in the bowels of my dear Country: I held myself the rather obliged to employ that talon which I have received from divine Providence, partly to satisfy my own conscience, in what becomes a faithful subject, for the welfare of his distracted Country, and for the future encouragement of all, who are in necessary places of honour in our Armies abroad; and those who are under their commands, to the end they may the more courageously fight under the banner of truth: and truly Right Honourable, my humble Request is, that you will cast your eyes on it. Vuitu serent, that so your Honours may rightly understand you must not expect here filled Phrases, or oiled terms, but field language: For I never was a Court-flatterer, nor : but what I have here presented to the world, is only to show what unnecessary Officers in an Army, though allowed by a State or Kingdom, prove disadvantageous to the same. Wherefore if you deign to cast an eye on this my reformed Army, although it be not so exactly proportiontble, as you perhaps expect: yet here you shall find that it is possible to fight an Army consisting of never so many Brigades of Cavalry and infantry, without those Officers whom here I have excluded: but thought I it would be taken ill for my boldness in discovering plain truth, I should bury my thoughts in silence, and stifle my poor Babe in its conception, rather than it should be borne a son of discontent: But Right Honourable, it's your favours only that I crave, which if I may be so happy to attain, I shall be doubly obliged, as in all duty ever to remain, Your Honour's most humble, and faithful Servant, JOHN BRANDON. To the Reader. Friendly Reader, THere being a fatal necessity that compels the State to keep several Armies on foot in the bowels of this sad Kingdom, for the public good in the conserving of our Religion, from the Popish and Delinquent crew. I conceive I could not do God, and my country a better service, then by prescribing, according to my slender skill, a direct and easy way to bring them in to such conformity, as the Officer and Soldier being duly paid, the State's service may be by them duly & truly performed, the crying sinsin our Armies severely punished those heavy judgements impendent, and imminent removed: and our intestine enemies now in open Hostility against God, Religion, Law and Liberty rooted forth, to his glory, his Church's welfare, the setting up of the unspotted Gospel of his Son in full Majesty in the 3. afflicted parts of our Prince's Dominions, for the establishing of our King with comfort in his Throne, with his faithful Parliament now resident at westminster, and to the never dying comfort of all his posterity, and faithful subjects: thus desiring thee with patience to read, but however thou art pleased to censure, I wish thee a contented life, and an honourable death. The new reformed Army, etc. IT'S that which hath encouraged me to attempt this subject, for that I have formerly had command in several Brigades, At Southam, & Worcester twice, Edgehil, Banbury, Branford, Hereford twice, Cirincester, Burford, Shewdly-Casile, Malmsbury, Gheltnam, Highnam-house, Little-deane, Rosse, Covert, Mendiffe, Froom, Clarken. down, Landsdown, & Toghil, Amsbury, the Vise, Cherington-downe. which are now abroad, and truly have much grieved to see the neglect hath been in some Officers through discontent twixt each other in contestation, about their several duties in their places; wherefore now I shall present unto you these following considerations. First, What Officers are necessary in an army, or one particular Brigade. Secondly, What Officers may well be cashiered, which as yet are allowed. Thirdly, What revenue will be saved, which may be converted and employed to better uses. Fourthly, What disadvantage hath, and may rise to the State by means of such unnecessary Officers, over pouring Uotes in Council of War. Fisthly, what can be alleged for the allowance of such place; of Honour, and the difference between these our uncivil wars, and those in other Countries. For the first of this, there is necessity of a Captain General over the whole Army, consist it of never so many, or few Brigades, for they are all to be Commanded by this Captain General, and no more: and in his absence his Leistenant General's Command is to be obeyed, as if the former were present, and so by Consequence but one Major General, a Commissary General, one quarter-master-general, and a Scout Master General to the whole Army, raised by the State or Kingdom. A Lieutenant General to the Ordnance of the whole Army not to be excluded. I conceive there is no necessity of more Generals, but that every particular Brigade be assigned to a Commander in chief, whom the Captain General shall know to be an able Soldier or the eldest Major of the Brigade, and for the Commanders in chief of every Regiment to be no other than Majors by Commission, It is his place by succession. whether of Cavalry or Infantry, a Captain Lieutenant Cornet, or Ensign, With Cannoneers, Gentlemen to the Ordnance Metrosses, etc. Fires Mr. with his necessary attendants, as Wagon-Mrs. pyoneers, etc. a Quartermaster to every Troop of the Cavalry, & to every Regiment of the Infantry, three Corporals or Sergeants, with Trumpet and Drum; and for the Lieutenant General's assistant to all the trains belonging to the several Brigades, that may officiate his place, he being in the Captain Generals own Brigade. Thus have I shown briefly what places of Command are absolutely necessary in an Army; and to give thee better satisfaction I shall lay down some special reasons to prove the same. First, for that unless there were a Captaine-Generall, All manner of Officers ought to be mightily endued with patience, humility, sometimes, to have a severe hand over such as are of a mutinous disposition, to the end he may have them all in general at Command when need requires. there could be no superiority in places of Honour, and so by conlequence they could not be so valiant, did not the hope of preferment spur them forward unto noble actions, neither generally would they endure those extremities which are incident to their callings, neither could they have that command over their Soldiers as necessity requires; But its matter of encouragement to all that fight under the Banner of a grave Heroick, & politic General. To which end he that is created such is well known by that State or Kingdom that elects him, to be a man of great birth, an able Statesman, and expert Soldier, whereby he is enabled to discharge so great and high a trust: we have many examples in sacred Writ of their Chieftains, who always had power above all other in their several Hosts to constitute Laws, for punishing the offences of their Soldiers. This precedent we have imitated, and had not there been an overpowering command to be obeyed by all in our Armies, As of jesta judge of Israel, and divers others. be it spoken to the everlasting Honour of His Excellency, the Earl of Essex, we should not have had so many deservedly executed for thefts, tapes, mutinies, treacheries, and other outrages, as hath been by virtue of those Mattiall Laws set forth by him at his entering into that high place of Honour, Or in case he be Commanded to present his General's person with any of the other Brigades which are not resident with the Captain General, there he takes place from the other Commander in chief. which he so faithfully hath performed. Secondly to prove the necessity of a Leivetenant-Generall which consists in representing the Person of the General in his absence & when the army is engaged to secure the Person of his General by engaging himself, for it is very unfit that a General should engage himself in any fight, further than to view how his enemy lies, thereby to take his best advantages for ground, to fight his men, to place his Artillery and Carraiges, and to give all possible encouragements, and to order when they shall charge, and in what nature, to retreat or pursue, all which is performed by the judgement, fidelity, and valour; of the major-general, after orders received from his Captain-General which proves the necessity of his place of honour in the field. Because he draws up the whole Armies in Battalia & fights the body answerably. And by succession a Quarter-Master-Gen: who receives orders for the quartering of the whole Army, either in field or town, as occasion shall require; his charge is great, he ought to be a man of great judgement & experience, especially in the knowledge of all countries, with the passages, Yet to do nothing without his judgement, agree with his superior Officer, & to receive order from them and inlets thereunto, the safety of the whole Army: it being to be quartered lies in his wisdom and fidelity, which shows there is a duty by him to be performed: so by consequence his place of honour is neceisary. The Scout-master-generalls' place is very necessary, but dangerous, his duty is ro discover all passages, and results amongst the enemy to his General, but to hold no correspondence, This Officer may easily betray his trust, wherefore it requires great care in the choice of him. but to discover their strength & intentions & togive intelligence of their advance towards any of their Quarters, or elsewhere, in such time as they may make themselves ready to circumvent their enemy's intended policy. I desire to be excused if I fail in ranking their places of honour, according to succession, for the necessity of a Lievetenant-Generall to the train of Artillery; I have not yet urged; his Office is of great concernment, This Officer ought to be such a man as is not used to drink much wine, nor to be familiar with his attendants ut very circamspect what Officers he hath about him. he ought to be a well-grounded Engineer, a man well knowing in all in gredients, for Peetare, & Granades, as well for the Mortar, as the hand, also for the travifing the ground he is to play upon, there is many other things in duty belongs to his place, which causes it, appear necessary so much may suffice to be spoken of the necessary Generals in an 〈◊〉. he ought to be a man of an undaunted sp;irit. It is only for form sake & no● of necessity, but to distinguish his place of Honour by way of title from the rest. yet its thought more proper for him that shall have the command of a Brigade then for he who has the Command but of own Regment. Which is 5. s. par die or 18. l. 6. d. for the other. He ought to be a very moderate man & of excellent judgement. That is Major Gener Generalls to the same, commissary Gen: Quartermaster Gen. Scour m●ster-gen: Colonels & Lieutenant ●●lo: Adietant Gen● & Auditor Gen● to the whole Army, the benefit these to latter make of their places is unknown. Now I come to show the necessary Officers requirable in a particular Brigade. The first is a Commander in chief, who ought to be the eldest Major in the said Brigade, whether of Cavalry or Infantry, so he be a knowing man and an able Soldier: and if it shall so please that State whom employ him, to honour him so much, as with the title of Colonel, but to have no more in the same Brigade: so by succession the next Major in the same Brigade to have the second place of honour in the same and to have a Commissary, who shall both murder and pay, as assistant to the Commissary General: Also the eldest Quartermaster to this Brigade, which shall receive orders from his supreme Officer, and to deliver them to the rest of the Quartermaster of the same, and to receive my, as Captain to Infantry, or Lieutenant to Cavalry: but not as Quirter-master General: and for the train of Artillery; to have an able man to depute the place of the Lieutenant general to the Ordinance, withal other Officer; under them to officiate in every Regiment: and for every Regiment to be commanded by its Major, whose duty is to draw them up in Battalia, and no Officer elf, and to sight it in that form and manner, as he shall think fit after orders received from the superior Officers, he giving to every Captain his charge: and so consequently every inferior officers charge under them for the maintaining of the Battle, without whose assistance the business could not be performed: wherefore these places of Honour necessary and what Officers are over & above these which I have expressed are superfluous. The next thing that falls into my hands, is the consideration of what Officers they are that are now employed and yet unnecessary in our Army, or particular Brigade in the whole Army, the Auditor General, and the Aditant General may be excluded: For the first of the two the Commissary General being both to muster, and pay is bound to cast up the several ●●●●entors, which appertains to every officer, and soldier of the said Army, or Brigade for his own discharge, that being the only work of the Auditor General: but, being performed by the aforesaid Commissary, I conclude that his place as Auditor General may be excluded. As for providing necessaries for their soldiers, when they are in Garrison, and keep continual outgard or watch for it is the duty of him that is the Captain of the watch for to ride or walk the rounds, to see that his guards be safe, and his men prepared with things answerable to their charge whether he be Major Capta. or other, & not the particular duty of the adietant, if it be well weighed it will plainly appear to be a great Nenefit to the State. It is a bear Titile without a duty. Which may o● well be done by the. Major and as much for the Soldier's encouragement. For the second, which is the Aietant General, I conceive his duty is no other than what is performed by every Major, Captain, and Quartermaster, being they are particular duties in their places: and for those Officers which are unnecessary in a Brigade, consisting of never so many of the Cavalry, or Infantry, is first a Major General, for that the eldest Major by succession may perform the duty of a Major General: but some will say who shall officiate his place in his own Regiment, it's answered by way of objection, who executes the duty of a Colonel, to those two or three Regiments, that some Major General have under command as Colonel: besides their Major General's place, but either their Lieutenant Colonel, or Major, and why not in this case for the benefit of a State or Kingdom, the eldest Captain of a Regiment perform the duty of his Major, whilst his Major executes the duty that is performed by those Mayor Generals, who are employed in these our times: Wherefore, I conceive the Mayor General to a particular Brigade may be excluded, but I shall leave it to the considerations of better judgements than my own: and for Colonels of Cavalty, and Infantry, I conceive there is no use of them at all, otherwise then as they charge in the head of their Regiments, is matter of encouragement to those whom they have under their command, if they do aught else, as to receive orders from the Commander in chief of the same Brigade or party either for pursuit, or retreat, or in what manner or form they must charge their Enemy; it is that which is the absolute duty of the Majors, and not theirs: Precedents for any of these Officers which I have excluded to be employed in any Army we have none, but what have been of very late years: but if we look upon Valerius the Roman Emperor, we shall find that his field Generals, though his Army consisted of never so many Legions, were no more than three; and they are conceived to be no other than a Captain General, Lieutenant General, and Maior General; there is no nomination of any more Generals, neither of Colonels, or Lieutenant Colonels, but that all their Legions that were above the number of three were commanded by no other, then by such as perform the duty of Majors in these our times, It is to be admired that any should be to ambitious, as in a Regiment to expect any step of Honour, to be raised to other than Majority in the same. Can we think the Major is as Minor, to Colonel and Lieutenant, Colonel: it ought to be considered whether they be no: new Upstart Titiles of Honour. And this is the absolute duty. This has been common but might now be reform. As to be drawn forth, to make good such a place, or to be a reserve to such a part 〈◊〉 etc. This is worthy of note, and not to be look 〈◊〉 on as a fantasy. It concerns all faithful Subject. that Mayor that hath the command of a Brigade, the Enemy being drawn up in a Battalia in perfect view, it his duty with his Assistants, as the eldest Major next himself, provided his judgement be answerable to his place of Honour, with is his ablest Quartermaster, to ride or go on foot to survey their own ground, viewing their Enemy, how they lie & answerable to the same form or figure: the Enemy is drawn up; so to travise their own ground, so as they may draw up their men in Battalia for their best advantage and to confult in counsel of war, when they return unto their body in what nature they shall fight, upon what disadvantage, retreat, how to make it good: and whether this being done; the orders are first given by the Commander in chief to all the Majors in the said Brigade, and every one of them to perform their duty of their place, which is to draw up the men according to their orders received and to sight them answerablely. And truly for the Colonel, and Lieutenant-colonel that shall have command, it may be they may attend upon the Commander in chief, leaving the charge of their Regiment unto the Major, whilst they ride to & fro, and see fashions and fight, of which sort we have to many in our Armies: there superior Officers seeing of them by chance, certifies them of some duty that must be performed by their Regiment, they presently ride or send to their Major, & acquaint him with the orders which are performed by the said Major, so by consequence there is no duty properly belonging, either to Colonel or Lieutenant-colonell: otherwise than what is performed by more necessary Officers, as being their absolute duty in their several respective places, now the next thing we are to consider: is the revenues that may be converted to better uses, for I conceive there is more need of private Soldiers, then of superfluous Officers, and this will be a means to encourage men to adventure their lives, hazarding themselves in greatest dangers to see such great and unnecessary sums deducted and their pay more constant, it being a means by which the Army is strengthened, and kept full and complete, imagine there be but forty Colons in the whole Cavalry now employed by the Honourable Houses of Parliament, their pay amounts to per annum 73000. Ye must understand its at the rate but of 5. l. per die for every Colonel of horse. 45000. will pay 1200. horsemen constantly year, to year, and there will be 28000. remaining out of the 40. Colonels revenues to pay Officers that are necessary. The Lieutenant Colonel of horse his pay will maintain 600. with constant pay, and if I be not much mistaken the overplasse will be about 16 or 17000. l. par annum, which w●●● do very w●ll towards other charges. If we look back, we shall find an Army constantly paid out of that which hath been allowed to uneccessary Officers, it consisting of 1800. Horse and 4000 foet. H●re we shall find a fair ●●●inning for a recrute to the former. 17520. l. per annum is the full some of eight M●j●●●eneralls, pay at 6. l. pat die apeice, so that in case these Officers be cashiered their several revenues will maintain 2100 of the Cavalry, and 5500 of the infantry There is necessity of reformation in these particulars as aught else, considering the great charge the Kingdom is at the proceeding of our war being not answerable to those in other Countries, though it is true our fights are more desperate butmain taind in no form for that they are not pitched buinesses by consent. For this very reason if they allow of these. Officers in their Armies, yet they are not useful to us. l. this revenue being expended for the payment of the private Soldiers of the Cavaity would be constant pay for 1200 at 2 s. 6 d. par die a piece, for 45700 is a just yearly means, for 1200. so many Lieutenant-colonells being 40, in m●●ber, amounts to 40000. l. par annum, or thereabouts which if deducted will maintain about 600. Horsemen as for Colonel and Lieutenant-colonells of Infuntry, being both in number 200. their yearly revenues amounts to on 169910. l. par annum which may maintain private Soldiers of the Infantry about 4000 paying them constantly. 8. d. by the day a piece all which being thus proved there aught to be a serious consideration whether there be any particular duty to be performed by these Officers before mentioned, which is not performed by more necessary Officers, as being their duty in place, for a Major-General under any Commander in chief of a Brigade, unless in the Captain-generalls', but as major-general Potly was to Sir William Waller. I conceive there is no necessity, for their duty may as well be performed by the eldest Major of the Brigade and their pay converted to better uses. If there be but eight Major-generalls' in all our Armies, they receive pay, if I be not exceedingly mistaken, both as Major-generalls' & Colonels, either of Horse or Foot, which amounts to great sums, let pay day come never so seldom, it cometh too often for the service they do, as it being their proper duty in either of those places, by above 9 pay days in 10. their revenues will maintain 1500. of the infantry with constant pay, the Major Generals pay at 6. l. per die a piece doth amount for eight of them to 17520 per annum, there are other Officers whose revenues will arise to a great matter in the year, as the Commissary to every Brigade, the word General being excluded, and assistant added, there will be somewhat remaining towards the payment of the army and themselves well satisfied: for the paymaster there is no use at all of himself the Commissary General's assistant be faithful and industrious, we have examples hereof in these our Armies, to mine own knowledge, where the Commissary hath both mustered and paid, but my fear is he hath received pay for both Offices, which is most unfit: for their pay is great, I verily believe, if the Auditor General were exempted and 〈◊〉 Commissaries of the several Brigades receive pay only as assistant to the Commissary General to the whole Army, there would be a sufficient remainder out of what I conceive their revenue doth amount to for maintaining 500 of the cava●try, & make their places more benefitial than is any Captain's place of the Infantry, the next thing we are to consider is, the disadvantages that have and may arise to the State by reason of the over powreing notes of unnecessary officers at Counsels of war as for this point I need not stand much upon it considering we have had so many sad testimons in these our times (how many town, have been treacherously delivered up to the mercy of the enemy,) nay I believe more had been had not the multiplicity of inferiors even pressed down the over pouring votes of some superfluous Officers, which though it may seem contrary to all good manners, yet it was most befiting found judgement to contradict the humours, of indiscreat effeminate Commanders: the next thing we are to consider is of what can be said for the allowing of such places of Honour: and the difference between these our uncivil Civil Wars, and those that are and have been in other Countries, some will say why should there not be such places of Honour in our armies here in England since we have other Countries for our precedent viz. Germany Sweedland, Neatherland, France, Spain, etc. certainly they being such absolute Soldiers as they are, both for judgement and valour, they would not allow of such Officers as the Author here excludes, unless there were a necessary duty to be performed by them, as in satisfaction to this point. It is the Author's desire that any German. French, Sweedish, or other Commander of them all willbe so pleased as to dispute this duty which they conceive properly to be performed by no other than those Officers, or at least out of courtesy to inform his judgement what duty it is that any of them performs under a Commander in chief of a private Brigade: for that I have been sometimes a Soldier, & as yet know of no duty at all that properly appertains to them, why then to be allowed in out Armies, is it for form sake because they are tolerated in other Countries, is it possible the example of Foreign Nations should prove a precedent so remarkable as we can no way show them one more noteable. It is my desire that as this Honourable Parliament have done so many worthyacts to their never dying fame, as makes them seem like so many glorious states fixed in England Firmament to the view of the whole World & almost to the astonishment of Rome's Strumpet so that now they would be pleased to view this new reformed Army, drawn up in battalions by the judgement of a Loyal Subject, and faithful Servant. I imagine this Army consist of 100000. horse and foot they are Commanded in chief by a Captain General, who according to all precedents hath a Life-guarde for his security of his own person, to be in number 200. or 150. at least of such Gentlemen, as shall forth of love to the said General adventure themselves to attend his person and to lead the Van of that part of the whole Army, which shall at all times be resident with the said General: he is also to have one peculiar Regiment of Horse, and two of Infantry, his Lieu: General to command in chief two Regiments, the one Cavalry, & the other of Infanfry: the Mayor General to have answerable those several Regiments to be commanded under them, by no other, than Majors: Every Regiment of Cavalry to consist of 600. & every of the Infantry a 1000 That is to say in His own Brigade. at least: And for so many more Regiments as shall be resident with the said Captain General, than what is before mentioned, to be commanded by no other Officers in chief, As Cannoneers Gentlemen to the Ordnance Conductor●, Muntrosses, Pioners, etc. then as above, unto the same there must be a Lieutenant General unto the train, with all necessary Officers thereunto belonging: A Quartermaster General, a Commissary Gen: and a Scout-Master General, as to the whole Army, but are always to attend the Captain General: and if they have any command in the said Army: besides, It may be a means to cause them neglect their more necessary duties. That is to be understood as need shall require. these afore-named Offices, it ought to be in the Captain Generals own Regiment: but for their having other command: I know no necessity, by reason the other places are of great trust, and requires great vigilancy in the performance thereof: all which being drawn up, and commanded as aforementioned, and under them those inferior Officers without whom a Battalia cannot be maintained against an Enemy: And for the other Brigades, which are to make up the number of 100000. though severally disposed into divers parts of the Kingdom, yet to be commanded in chief by no other than the eldest Majors of the same Brigade; and so answerablely every Regiment by no Colonel, nor Livetenant-Colonell, and yet may perform what by them shall be undertaken in a more gallant and honourable way to themselves, and with less charge to the State, who employ them by a 100000. l. par annum, then ever before, when they had all the unnecessary Officers to command them: yet I will not be my own judge in this matter, but I leave the Consequence to the considerations of whom it most concerns, desiring the GOD of Heaven, the chief Captain of our Ho●●s to bestow upon our Commanders, who are conceived to be necessary in our Armies, faithful hearts towards himself, As many have done but look upon the cause in itself. & to the Cause they undertake, so as they may take no place of honour upon them for any by or mercenary ends, but to joy in that God has pleased to make them Instruments as in maintaining his Cause, & to be Circumspect as they may do no unjust act, under the mask of that just Cause: and with all sound Judgement, so as they may understand their duties in their several places, valour to go on in the performance of their duties, with undaunted Heriock Spirits, humility, so as they may win the hearts of their Soldiers to be in an equal balance with their own, and conjoin together with all love, judgement; fidelity, and courage, against all which are now in Arms against God. Religion, Law, and Liberty. Wherefore I now shall desire every Officer seriously to consider their own duties in their several places, before such time as to receive their charges. After which they shall find; It points out that they are weighty Charges they undertake, wherefore they must not so look on the honour as thereby to be puffed up with pride as it shall cause them to wave their duty for sure it is every Officer hath under GOD the charge of his Soldiers Lives more or less according to his trust committed to him, when he receives his place of Honour. that for as many of those men as shall be under their several Commands and lose their Lives for their want of judgement, fidelity, & valour, or through their neglect of duty in their several places, they must give a strict account for those men's lives at the last day, and further they will see that there is no necessary duty to be performed by those Officers which in this my weak esay's I have excluded. FINIS.